Fastener for boot-straps



(No Model.)

W. SMITH.

PASTE-NEE FOR 'BOOT STRAPS. No. 262,626 9 Patented UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcEt WILLIAM SMITH, OF EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

FASTENER FOR BOOT-STRAPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 262,626, dated August 15, 1882.

Application filed May 19, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, WILLIAM SMITH, a citizen of United States, residing at the city of Eaton Rapids, in the county of Eaton and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boots; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement for fastening onto boots the pull-straps by which boots are drawn on by means of a metallic fastener; and the objects of my improvement are, first, to provide a fastening which will obviate the necessity of stitching or sewing on the strap by wax end or thread, and so save time and labor in putting them on; second, to save material; and, third, to provide a strong and durable fastening. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of the fastener as it appears on the outside of the boot-leg. Fig. 2 is an inside front view of the fastener as it appears on the inside of the boot-leg. Fig. 3 represents the fastener in its original form, A B, on the boot-leg before the ends a; a: of B are riveted down, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the fastener; Fig. 5, a side elevation; Fig. 6, a cross-section; Fig. 7, a longitudinal section of the base.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The fastener is composed of two parts orpieces-an oval part, B, having standards formed by binding up the endsw w of the part B, and its center raised higher than and gradually sloping toward its edges, and the double washer A, as shown in Fig. 4, both being constructed of a metallic substance, and B be ing malleable. The pull-strap is arranged on the boot-leg in the ordinary manner, after which two holes are punched through the bootleg and pull-strap at a proper distance to let through the ends a: w of the part B, as shown in Fig. 3. Now, I take the double washer A and fit it over the ends am of B, which passes through the hole 6 i of A, also shown in Fig. 3, and, taking a punch-set, I then rivet the ends a 00 of B over the double washer A, as shown in Fig. 1.

By this device a much shorter strap may be used than could be. used if sewed onto the bootleg, as the fastening can be put close to the end of the pull-strap, thus saving material; also, by this device, if the strap be put on straddle of the boot-leg, there is no occasion for cutting the boot-leg, which is often the case when straps are sewed on.

I am aware that plates have been made with flat faces and of the same width as the turnedup parts or standards, which would prove defective if used for the purpose of fastening on pull-straps on boots, for the reason that when a great strain was brought to bear, as is often the case when pulling on a tight or wet boot, the standards, being sharp or of the same thickness of the plate, would cut the leather, and the strap would easily pull off. Besides, the standards being long enough to bend over, or, if bent over at all, would catch on obstructions, straighten out, and be entirely worthless, all of which defects are avoided in my construction by making the base of an oval form, so that when the parts A and B are fastened on the boot-leg in manner described the high part or center of the oval in B will press firmly and hug closely against the leather and remove part of the pressure that would otherwise come on the standards as a, which, being round,vhave no tendency to cut the leather. The ends a or, being riveted down, hold firmly the double washer A and cannot catch on any obstruction whatever. Finally, the surface on the inside, being smooth and even with the surface of the leather, cannot mar the person or wear the clothing by contact, which would not always be the caseif the pull-strap were fastened on by eyelets.

I am aware that it is old to form a staplefastener of one piece by bending up the ends of a strip of metal, but am not aware that the base of such fasteners has been provided with a raised center sloping toward the sides, 5

IOO

10 pins bent at right angles therefrom, and a washer adapted to fit on such projections or pins, all substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, WILLIAM SMITH.

Witnesses PARM S. DEGRAFF, GEO. HUGGETT. 

